"It was an extraordinary and incorrect decision by referee Jason O'Mahony from Limerick to award a '65 to Tipperary," wrote McDermott.
He explained: "Prior to the award of the '65, the Clare goalkeeper Donal Tuohy took the puckout and Patrick Kelly won possession for Clare. He passed the ball to Nicky O'Connell who was fouled about 20m out from the Tipperary goal. The referee correctly awarded a free to Clare.
"After this free was awarded the referee's attention was drawn to the umpire at the Clare goals who was seeking his attention to advise him of an infringement.
"When the referee spoke to the umpire he was told that the Clare goalkeeper had taken the puckout from outside the small rectangle. This communication between the referee and the umpire took place one minute and seven seconds after Donal Tuohy took the puckout".
Rule 4.15 of the 2008 Official Guide Part 2 states: 'To take the puck-out from outside the small rectangle - Penalty - 65m free opposite where the foul occurred.'
McDermott continues: "However, the referee had no authority to apply the above rule (rule 4.15) retrospectively after a segment of play was completed and having awarded a free to Clare 20m out from the Tipperary goals.
"The referee did not have the power in this instance to cancel the free he had awarded to Clare and instead award a '65 to Tipperary.
"Once play had continued he was wrong to go back and award a free for something that happened earlier. This serious error by the referee cost Clare dearly".
The Munster Council are yet to confirm the findings of their investigation into the match and its aftermath.
All officials on duty at the decider in Cusack Park, Ennis were from Limerick. Referee Jason O'Mahony is from Kildimo. The linesmen were Declan O'Driscoll from Ballinacurra Gaels and Derek Mackessy from Patrickswell, while Na Piarsaigh's Michael O'Connor was the fourth official. The four umpires were provided by the referee.
It appears that O'Mahony's fellow referees in the county have not followed his path. At county senior championship games in Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock and Ballyagran last Sunday, a number of goalkeepers broke the rule and no action was taken. The rule or is it the inconsistency of its enforcement, needs to be reviewed.

Camogie marathon
I see a London based camogie team are undertaking the challenge of taking part in a 24 hour camogie match in order to gain a Guinness World Record for the longest camogie marathon.
To achieve this, the girls from the Croydon club will need to play camogie non-stop for a minimum of 24 hours. The marathon takes place on August 23-24 in Ruislip GAA Grounds, London. The club are also making a donation to both the Marie Keating Foundation and Cancer Research UK. Perhaps, they could look towards Limerick for some advise.
Back in 1986, Terence Madigan led a group of 14 footballers from Kilcornan GAA club in their Gaelic Football marathon. Twenty two years on, the Limerick GAA club are still the world record holders with 60 hours, five minutes and a couple of seconds to their credit.

Hurling in Newcastle West
IT'S great to see senior championship hurling return to Newcastle West next month for the all-west quarter final clash of champions Adare and Western Gaels. A big attendance should be on hand for this eagerly awaited clash.
At present, Tony O'Connor and Ollie McCoy are the only members of the host club on the Western Gaels squad and will get the unique distinction of playing senior championship hurling in their home ground.

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